Day 13 of San Francisco 49ers training camp saw the team hit the field for one last practice before the preseason opener against the Houston Texans.
Thursday's pad-less practice was efficient and competitive as the offense and defense made turns making impressive plays. The 49ers appeared to be working heavily on the running game.
It's also worth noting that reserve quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Dylan Thompson connected on impressive touchdown passes to tight ends Derek Carrier and Asante Cleveland, respectively. Both scoring plays took place in the final 11-on-11 work.
The Gabbert-to-Carrier connection has been picking up steam over the course of the week. The two could very well continue that chemistry on Saturday night against the Texans.
More observations can be found in this practice report.
From Anquan Boldin to Torrey Smith to DeAndrew White, view the top photos from all of San Francisco's pass-catchers.
MVP Derek Carrier.
San Francisco's tight end competition continues to get more entertaining as training camp progresses. Behind Vernon Davis, the 49ers have a plethora of pass-catchers who will make it hard on the team when roster cuts come around.
Enter Carrier, who continued to connect with Gabbert and his quarterbacks in the passing game. Carrier caught several balls on the day, including the aforementioned touchdown grab on a well-timed throw from Gabbert.
Offensive play of the day
Cleveland's touchdown play gets the recognition on this day.
When Thompson's initial target was covered in a goal-line scenario, the undrafted signal-caller rolled to his left and found the second-year tight end working back to the sideline as part of the scramble drill.
Thompson's pass was right on the money, and so was Cleveland's awareness and body control as he tapped both feet down in the front right corner of the end zone.
Defensive play of the day
Lawrence Okoye displayed his world-class athleticism on a rollout scramble from Gabbert.
What was most impressive about the play was how the 304-pound lineman was able to run down the line of scrimmage and catch up to the athletic quarterback on the sideline.
Okoye's progress should be something to track in the Texans game.Extra Points
- Safeties Craig Dahl and Jaquiski Tartt recorded the only interceptions of the day.
- The 49ers continued to play loud music to simulate the road environment that they'll experience on Saturday. An opera classic and a Taylor Swift tune were two of the most memorable songs on the playlist.
- The team will wear a No. 79 decal this season to honor the late Bob St. Clair, a Hall of Fame tackle for the 49ers. The decal was added prior to the team's first game in Houston.
- Reggie Bush will not play against the Texans, according to Jim Tomsula. Even so, we got a chance to observe the 30-year-old runner have another good day of work with several receptions in the passing game. Bush later displayed excellent open-field burst in a punt return period.
Quote to Note
"I'm a believer in Blaine Gabbert. I am. Just point blank, I'm a believer in Blaine Gabbert. Again, we are building a team, so in terms of the on-the-field play and the team, Blaine Gabbert, that's a beautiful piece."
- 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula on Gabbert's development in the 2015 offseason.
